Authors Note: Hi All! This is very much AU, I kept the names and their personalities (for the most part) but its modern day. Rating may change in the future chapters but for now I'm keeping it light. Enjoy :) Huge thanks to my betas pearlydewdrop and E. M. Bryant97

Disclaimer: Not my characters. They belong to ABC and OUAT.

Chapter 1

It was a warm summer evening, Regina Mills sat on the floor packaging up the remainder of her belongings before taping and labeling the boxes. Changes were good; changes meant you were moving onto bigger and better things, whether you thought you were or not.

"You don't have to move out," came a voice from the doorway. Regina turned to see her best friend Malerie leaning against the door, her blonde hair flowing down her back as she watched her pack up everything.

"Mal you know I'm leaving for the book tour tomorrow," Regina replied.

"Yeah, but then you can come back here. I'm not kicking you out."

"I know you're not. You've been great these last few years, I don't know what I would have done without you. But you've got a boyfriend that is ready to move in and I'm not going to stand in the way. I love you too much to not let you move forward with that."

"Jeff wouldn't kick you out in the cold either. Where are you going to go?"

"The book tour is for two weeks…."

"I obviously meant after that."

"I'll find a place when I get back."

"You haven't already found a place?"

"I've been kind of busy." It was true she had been busy - she had the upcoming book tour, due to the success of her book that was never meant to see the light of day, all the while taking care of a toddler. Her son, Henry, was growing impeccably fast and learning so much every day. She didn't want to miss a single moment of that, no more than she already had while she was working that is.

"I know you have, which is why I'm saying you don't need to box all that up. When you have finished with the tour, you have a place here until you find your own."

Regina smiled at her, getting up to go give her friend a hug, "Thanks Mal. I appreciate it. We'll be out of your hair before you know it though."

"You're the only trouble maker. Henry has been lovely." Mal teased.

"Oh yeah, that's how it is," Regina laughed walking out to the living room to find Henry playing on the ground with Lily, Mal's 6 year old daughter who she shared custody of with her ex Stefan. "She's so good with him. How did you create that? She's got her life more in control than you ever have."

"Har, har." Mal replied glaring at her friend, "I'm going to make dinner. When does your au pair get in? Before you leave or is she meeting you at the first stop?"

"Tomorrow morning before we leave." Regina replied heading over to play with the kids. "It'll be good to give Henry a chance to bond more with her." she said sitting next to Henry and ruffling his light brown hair. It's starting to get a little long but he simply refuses to let her cut it. Henry is three years old but his personality is already blooming. He gets the stubbornness from her, Regina knows. His father wasn't stubborn at all. Daniel. She really misses Daniel. She hasn't even started the tour and she's already getting emotional. Regina, hold it together, you have two weeks of touring, you need to stay strong. She tells herself.

After a couple minutes passed by, Regina's phone starts to ring she gets up to grab it answering, "Hi August." August Boothe was her editor. He had been the one on this wild ride with her from the moment she had decided to attempt to publish her book. He'd seen her break down a time or two as they were editing. He had been there to promote the book and set up the tour. She used to joke that she should have just came to him for the therapy instead of paying for it.

"Hey Gina, all set for tomorrow?"

"I am, Henry and I are packed and ready to go."

"Oh that's right he's coming with. How is Henry doing?"

"He's good, he'll keep you busy."

"Wait what? I thought you had a babysitter."

"Relax, that was a joke. Emma is coming in tomorrow, she'll be keeping him entertained. All you have to do is get me to look good and make money."

"That I can do." he laughed. "I'll meet you at the San Francisco airport after you land. We'll have a couple hours before the reading and signing at Barnes and Noble."

"Reading? I thought we were just doing signings." Regina said anxiously, knowing she didn't want to kick things off with a reading. There was no telling how she would be able to stay strong.

"They work better together. I've got Belle looking through it to find a passage that is more light hearted. Let's just try this out and see how it goes. If you're totally against it I'll make sure we don't have any more to deal with okay?"

Regina sighed, thinking this might be good for her. "Yeah I guess. I'll pack the waterproof mascara" she said trying to lighten up her quickly plummeting mood. What was she thinking agreeing to this tour in the first place. But she needs to be ready. She has to do this. For Henry. She reminds herself. She's doing this for her son.

"I'll be there whenever you need a break. But you got this kid, this book is good. A lot of people are looking forward to meeting you."

"It's crazy, I'm just a girl from the city that threw some words on paper and now … "

"Now you're a rock star who needs to get some rest. This isn't going to be an easy two weeks but I'll be with you every step of the way. You got this."

"Thanks August, I'll see you tomorrow." She said hanging up the phone and heading back out to get Lily and Henry ready for dinner. Mal had thrown together spinach alfredo fettuccini with grilled chicken, wanting to make a nice send off for her friend. Malerie had been the one to offer Regina a place to stay - as long as she wanted - when Daniel had died and Regina couldn't stand living in New York any longer. She had one too many memories of him and they were taking a toll on her being there so when she got the call from Mal saying to come out to California and stay with her, Regina had packed up her bags and left right away. Henry was just a newborn at the time so he's only ever known California as a home - and Regina was okay with this. She didn't want her son to have to deal with what she had to.

The four of them sat down for dinner. They ate and chit chatted with the children. Regina picked up the dishes after everyone was done and they turned on a movie for the kids. It was a weekend and Henry could sleep on the plane to San Francisco. The kids didn't last very long. Before long they were turning off the movie and tucking them in before getting into bed themselves. Regina checked over everything one last time to make sure she had everything she needed for herself and Henry. Not that she couldn't buy anything that may come up but she wanted to make sure she had his favorite toys and books. A little part of home to keep him comfortable while they were on the road. When she was satisfied that she had everything that she needed she called it a night and crawled into bed.

The next morning, Mal was up early and making breakfast for everyone. August had sent a car for Regina and Henry at nine-thirty and Mal figured she'd get up early to help get them on their way. Regina was already up and showered by the time Mal had gotten up. She was in the midst of getting Henry up and ready. While Mal was plating breakfast for the three of them, Lily wouldn't be up for another couple hours, she heard Regina walking towards the kitchen talking to August.

"What do you mean you can't be there? You said you'd be there for me. August I can't do this tour alone."

"You won't be alone. I've gotten someone to take over for me. Regina I'm sorry, I would be there if I could but I got a call at five this morning. I need to go home to see my dad."

Regina sighed, knowing that he wasn't doing this on purpose, "No, I'm sorry. How bad is it?"

"Not great." he sighed, "but don't worry about that. Focus on the tour. The guy taking over my spot is a friend of mine. I trust him with my life so I trust him with this. He also helped out with the editing before we published so he knows this book."

"Okay, that's comforting. Who is it? Have I met him?"

"I doubt it. He works out of the LA office so he's actually coming with the car I have sent for you. His name is Robin. Very nice guy, I think the two of you will get on great. But if you feel like he's not doing what he needs to call me."

Regina held the phone with one hand and rubbed her forehead with the other, starting to feel a headache come on. This wasn't a good sign, but she probably just needed coffee in her system. "Okay August, I'll take your word for it but if he turns out to be a ranged lunatic I will hunt you down."

"I would expect nothing less from you Gina." he said laughing slightly, "Knock 'em dead kiddo. You've got this."

"Thanks, I hope your dad's okay."

"Me too. Your car should be there soon."

"I know, we're ready."

They said their goodbyes and hung up. Regina walked into the kitchen and grabbed the coffee mug from Mal's outstretched hand. "Everything okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, August had to bail. He's sending someone else... this is starting off great."

"August wouldn't send someone he thought would bomb this, would he?"

"No. I'm just nervous. I don't know if I'm ready to start living through that horrible night over and over again. At least with August I knew he knew what I had gone through. This new guy, sure he knows the book but he doesn't know me."

"Maybe that's good. He can give you a new perspective. Regina you're the strongest woman I know, you're going to be great on this tour."

"I'm glad one of us is confident."

"I'm only a phone call away whenever you need to talk."

"Thanks, I might take you up on that."

Henry stumbled in rubbing his eyes, "Mommy?"

"Hi my little angel," Regina cooed as she bent down to pick up her son. "Are you ready for our adventure?"

He nodded, "Is Aunt Mal and Lily coming?"

"Are," she corrected, " and no they aren't," she added answering his question. When she saw the pout starting on his face she quickly added, "but we'll see Auntie Zelena in a couple days when we're up in Portland. That'll be fun right?"

Henry nodded again laying his head on his mom's shoulder, "I hungry."

Regina laughed, "It's a good thing Mal made your favorite" she's was about to take him over to the table when the doorbell rang.

"I'll take him." Mal said reaching over for the little boy and sitting him down at the table.

Regina headed over to the door and answered it, "Hi Emma, right on time. The car will be here soon." Emma Swan is a twenty-year-old bubbly blonde. She had striking green eyes that shine with innocence and youth. There was, however, something else there. Something Regina saw the first time they met. She's young but not naive. This girl had seen her share of dark days. Regina stepped aside to let her in.

"Great, I didn't want to be late." Emma replied walking in and looking around the apartment. She parked her suitcase next to the others that Regina had brought out. "Where's Henry?"

"Eating breakfast. Have you already eaten?"

"Yeah, I'm good. Thanks though. If you need to eat don't let me stop you. I'll just wait here."

"No come on over, have some coffee at least. It's really early."

"Sure." she smiled, following her into the kitchen.

"Henry you remember Emma right? She's going to come with us and keep you company while I have to work."

Henry looked up with his mouth filled with pancake drenched in a little too much syrup and waved at Emma. Clearly too engrossed in his food to bother replying. Mal was a great cook and spoiled Henry a little more than Regina would prefer, but she let her every now and then.

Mal looked over at the younger blonde and offers her a hand, "Hi I'm Malerie. Would you like something to eat? There's plenty."

"Oh no thank you. I will take a cup of coffee though."

"Sure," Mal responds getting a cup for her. Regina sat down at the table and ate as much pancake as much as she could stomach. Her nerves were already acting up and causing her to lose her appetite. Mal noticed, "you want something lighter?"

Regina shook her head, "It won't help. I just need to get this started."

They finished eating and nine thirty on the dot Regina got a call saying her car was there and waiting downstairs. She said goodbye to Mal and picked Henry up before grabbing a bag to go downstairs. Emma grabbed the other bag Regina had packed along with her own and the three of them made their way down to the car.

When they got outside, the car was waiting with the trunk popped open and ready to go. The driver stood behind the car, waiting to load the trunk. He was talking to a man, dressed in jeans and what looked like a navy button down from the back. He had wavy light brown hair and looked about average height. He must work out. Regina thought as she noticed his forearm muscles due to his rolled up sleeves. As they got closer, she picked up on what she thought was a slight accent. So August has an English friend, this might be all right. she thought to herself.

The driver noticed them and walked towards the three of them relieving Regina of the bag she was carrying and taking one of Emma's before walking to the trunk. Emma followed behind him with the other bag as Robin turned around and smiled at Regina.

"You must Regina Mills, Robin Hood nice to meet you." he said keeping the smile on his face and reaching out a hand for her to shake.

She shook his hand and raised an eyebrow, "Robin Hood? Like the fox?"

"One and the same, milady." he laughed, "My mother was a big fan of fairytales and when she realized my father's last name was Hood she couldn't resist."

"I see," Regina replied laughing slightly. He was cute. This might not be so bad after all, she thought.

Robin turned his attention towards the little boy Regina was carrying. Henry had been observing the whole interaction while sucking his thumb. He wasn't normally shy, but he seemed a little nervous this time. Maybe he was picking up on his mother's nervousness. "And who might this handsome fella be?"

Henry let go of his thumb with a pop, "Henry" he replied looking a little skeptical at the man.

"Henry, it's very nice to meet you." Robin said offering his hand to the little boy, obviously trying to get him to ease up. Henry smiled at that, liking being treated like an adult. He reached out and grabbed Robin's finger to offer a shake. "Very strong handshake." Robin said while Henry giggled. He tapped the little boys nose before turning his attention back to the boy's mother. "I know this was sprung on you last minute, but I want you to know I'm going to do everything to make this tour go as smoothly as possible. I've toured with a few other authors in the past and I have to say your book is by far my favorite and I'm not just saying that to make you comfortable. I think a lot of people will relate to your story and the outcome you're going to find may not be what you thought."

Regina listened and nodded, "I hope you're right." Emma had walked up to them by then offering Regina a little distraction from Robin's piercing blue eyes. "This is my au pair Emma Swan, she'll be accompanying us."

"Very nice to meet you," Robin said to Emma offering presenting his charming smile. They all piled into the car and headed off to the airport.

Regina looked out the window, stealing a couple glances in Robin's direction. He seemed to know what he was doing and he was easy on the eyes for sure. Maybe this wouldn't be as horrible as she had thought it would be.

AN: If it wasn't clear, Malerie (Mal) is Maleficent. I did change her name. Everyone else will more or less stay the same. Henry is younger though, I wanted to show Regina with her baby boy and since it's AU I wanted to keep her the mom. Emma will be apart of his life since she's going to be the nanny but he's Regina's son. Let me know what you all think so far! More to come.